Re: Kinky Jewish Music

[GAronoff <GAronoff...>]

What I take from Simon's response is that antisemitism is so horrible that we
have to shut our eyes and ears at the mere mention of any antisemitic phrase. 

What Kinky Friedman does is well within the realm of self-mocking Jewish
humor.  He also writes songs about characters who may or may not have the
finest values.  Question:  Does anyone really think that Randy Newman thinks
people of short stature really have no reason to live?

I don't know if you are familiar with Kinky's songs, but I honestly believe
someone walks away from hearing them with improved views of Jews, not excuses
to hate.  Jews in Kinky's world are strong enough to poke fun at themselves -
we don't have to be perfect or holy to deserve to live.  

Also, we deserve to be the subject of "popular" songs in America's language
and in a classically American musical style.  Kinky writes about Jews in
English without sounding like another lame Judeo-pop(folk) singer who simply
waits to say "Moshiach" every third line.  I guess if we want to be sexist we
should just sing in Yiddish so most people will be unable to understand the
lyrics.  And anyway, its a "folk" song so the singer today isn't responsible
for the views expressed.  This has allowed British/Celtic singers to get away
with anti-PC songs about murdering kitchen boys for years.  

And for the record, "They Don't Make Jews like Jesus Anymore" has nothing to
do with phony cop-out terms like "Chanukah is a Jewish Christmas."  It is a
strong song AGAINST antisemitism and racism.  While I don't have a direct
personal connection to the Holocaust, I believe that "Ride Em Jewboy" is one
of the best and most sensitive songs I have heard in English dealing with the
tragedy.  If you can't get beyond Kinky's use of the word "Jewboy" or hate
country music then you will not appreciate the song.  But I suspect others may
disagree, not on the basis of Jewish defense politics, but on the basis of
songwriting.

Gideon

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